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HENRI (HANS) VEENHUYZEN
Date of Passing: Apr 19, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryHENRI (HANS) VEENHUYZEN
Henri (Hans) George Rene Veenhuyzen passed away on April 19, 2025.
He is survived by his children, Yorgo (Jan) Veenhuyzen and Carla (John) van der Zweep, and his grandchildren, Daniel, Mia, Ian, and William.
Born in Arnhem, the Netherlands in 1938, Hans lived a life marked by resilience, warmth, and an enduring love for family, language, learning, and laughter. As a young boy, he witnessed the Allied parachute landings of Operation Market Garden. As defiant of the Nazis as children could be, he and his friends mischievously passed cigarettes to captured Canadian troops that were being marched through the streets of his hometown.
The war uprooted his family, and in his youth, Hans moved to France, where he attended a Catholic boarding school. Though highly intelligent, adapting to lessons in a foreign language was a challenge for young Hans. Yet, learning French would become a lifelong gift and shape his future in profound ways. He later returned to the Netherlands for high school, enjoying joyful days sailing the canals with friends.
After completing his military service, Hans immigrated to Montreal, where a chance meeting on a busy sidewalk introduced him to the love of his life, Mary. Inspired by his own struggles in school, Hans found a calling in helping others learn. With Mary's unwavering support, he earned his education degree as a mature student - a milestone that would shape the rest of his life.
The young couple settled in Winnipeg, where Hans became a beloved French teacher at John Taylor and later at Silver Heights Collegiate. He was especially proud to be chosen to help launch the French International Baccalaureate program locally. He also taught evening French classes to adults at Sturgeon Creek High School, always eager to share his passion for language and learning.
At home, Hans was a spark of energy and humour, someone who could always make others laugh. He delighted in encouraging his children to participate in French poetry contests and science fairs and to see them excel where he had struggled. He was very proud to see his children find their own happiness by earning professional careers, marrying wonderful partners and having beautiful grandchildren.
While early travels brought cherished memories of holidays in Greece, his true paradise for the past four decades was his "Cabane au Canada" in Minaki, Ontario. There, he found his greatest joy - long, carefree summers surrounded by family, friends, and the peaceful beauty of the Canadian Shield. He often reflected that he felt more Canadian than Dutch, deeply grateful for the life he built in his adopted homeland. In recent years, his dream came true: watching all his grandchildren kayak, fish, swim, and explore the lake he loved so dearly together.
When Mary passed in 2019, he confessed, "I couldn't have done it without her." Indeed, in her absence, dementia slowly took his sharp wit, charisma, and zest for adventure. What remained was his enduring appreciation for life's simple pleasures like a dip in the cool waters of Sand Lake where familiar voices will continue to echo on warm breezes among the white pines and tiger lilies: "Elle est bonne!"
The family wishes to send a special thank-you to Dad's team of wonderful caregivers from JTRC Care Services (especially Cherry Aguilar), his Palliative Care Coordinator Jen Ward, the Palliative Care nurses that made weekly visits to his home, and his Palliative Care physician at St. Boniface Hospital, Dr. Daeninck.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 06, 2025
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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Thank you very much, Monsieur Veenhuyzen—I only wish I could have told you sooner how much your kindness changed my life. When I arrived at your school in Winnipeg in Grade 10, newly immigrated and struggling to find my place, you patiently taught me French, literature, and compassion. I carry your lessons with me every day. To your family and loved ones, please know that his legacy lives on in countless lives like mine. With deepest gratitude and condolences—Paul Lee, MD, Brooklyn, New York. - Posted by: Paul C Lee (Student) on: Jul 21, 2025
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My condolences Yorgo and Carla on the passing of your father. Monsieur was without doubt my favourite teacher, and he instilled in me a real love of the French language. Also a fondness for Julio Eglesias, if I am honest - since he played it all the time. I know he would have been proud that I continue to work on my French to this day. So passionate was he about teaching that I can still see him physically acting out certain words in my head when I speak them. I am very glad to hear that Minaki brought him and your family such joy - I remember him specifically asking me if he should buy it! (I said yes of course) Au revoir, Monsieur - Posted by: Shannon Ernst (Student) on: May 09, 2025
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Our condolences to John, Carla & family and Yorgo, Jan & family - Posted by: Mark & Dianne Ferrara (Han's son is married to our daughter) on: May 06, 2025
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Hans was my mentor when I started my first year of teaching French Immersion at College Silver Heights Collegiate…and a friend. I learned so much with him. I owed him a lot. He invited me, my wife and our kids to his lovely cottage at Minaki. I cherish great souvenirs of those days. Adieu, Monsieur le professeur, on ne vous oubliera jamais. Bon voyage (Lionel De Ruyver) - Posted by: Lionel De Ruyver (Colleague at Silver Heights Collegiate) on: May 06, 2025
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I still think about M. Veenhuyzen, my high‑school French teacher at Silver Heights Collegiate, even after 37 years. He wasn’t just any teacher, he was a force of nature, brimming with passion and genuine care. I can practically hear his voice echoing in my head, cheerfully drilling grammar rules like « Quand un verbe est conjugué avec avoir, le participe passé s’accorde avec l’objet direct précédent… » He repeated those rules so lovingly (and, let’s be honest, a little relentlessly) that I’ll never forget them. Merci, M. Veenhuyzen. You challenged us on French grammar and you lifted us even higher with your dedication and support. - Posted by: Steven Schroeder (student) on: May 06, 2025
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Rest in peace Monsieur Veenhuyzen. No teacher ever had more faith in me, or gave me more encouragement. High school was not an easy time for me, but what Monsieur Veenhuyzen and his incredible IB French program gave me has lasted me to this day, and I still think of him often. He cared so deeply, and so much. He always wanted the best for his students - more than many students could understand. But those of us who did, loved him for it. It took a while for me to get my footing in life, but I know that he would be proud of who I am now. And that makes me glad. My children have heard many stories about my time with him, and I trust that is a fitting tribute to a great man. Thank you, Monsieur Veenhuyzen. Bonne chance, and farewell. - Posted by: Andrew Toews (student) on: May 06, 2025
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I appreciated working and socializing with Hans at JT. I am saddened at his passing. He is a wonderful fellow. My condolences to his family and all those he has left behind (for now). May God welcome him. - Posted by: Bill Fisher (Friend and colleague) on: May 06, 2025